Atrice

Tertius ran his hand over the fabric Teutus showed him and wrapped a few fingers around it to feel how thick and soft it was. He could feel what Teutus was telling him about it, it was soft and fine indeed. Apparently Teutus sold both the woven fabric and unspun bits of wool too. Tertius nodded, "It is a very good quality. It's easy to tell when you touch it." He said with a smile and then Teutus offered to simply gift Tertius some of it. He looked up at his son, surprised about the offer. "If you insist. But I would prefer paying. I don't wish for you to lose profit because of me." Tertius said, "Antonia might enjoy a new dress in this. In a color that suits her. Green." He suggested, green went well with her red hair, "Perhaps one for Charis as well. Lighter colors go well with her." He could of course also have his own tunic, but he had his daughter and his wife and he felt like spoiling them, when he had the chance to do so. "Is there anything else you'd like to show me?" Tertius then wondered, this was Teutus' place and he was the guide. He thought about something briefly then, thought to mention it, "Do you have any furs?" @Sharpie

He nodded at her question and then she asked if Augustus loved his wife so much, that he built the Porticus for her. Tertius smiled, "Maybe. He gave a lot of things to Rome. The place was for her, but now belongs to the city." He replied, unsure if Augustus loved his wife or just respected her. Tertius knew that a marriage could be good without love, he had that with his late wife and perhaps he had it with Charis too. He did have some feelings for her. Feelings he tried to deny before, but now not so much anymore. She was his wife now and he told himself it was alright to care for her, now that she was no longer a slave. Even if the society of Rome might look down upon him for naming her his wife. It didn't matter now. He was a Praetor, no one could tell him anything but Caesar or the Consuls and they didn't. He'd been in the position long enough to have a certain amount of power. Gods, he almost felt rebellious for thinking like that. The litter was coming closer to the Forum and was finally set down. Tertius exited first and held a hand for her to take, once she left the litter as well. "I will. That's the temple." He pointed up to the circular temple in front of them. It was different from the other temples, most temples were rectangular, but Vesta held the hearth of Rome and was more important than the rest. He escorted her up the stairs, followed by a slave carrying gifts for the temple. Once he came in, a young student of the Vestals quickly spotted him and went to find one of the older women to attend to him and Charis. In the middle of the temple was a hearth with an impressive burning flame. It stood out due to the faint light inside the building... "What do you think?" Tertius asked Charis quietly, hoping she would sense the presence of the goddess here too. @Sara

She was sad to hear Ovinia felt like she was at their attackers level already, after what happened and how she'd tried to kill him even this night. But Pinaria still shook her head, wanting to comfort and help the young woman rather than scold her, "But you aren't. You're better than he is. You must believe that." She said and helped Ovinia to her feet, while the younger woman thanked her. She wondered then how they should return home, if they should wait for Alexius and Lucius, but Ovinia said she wouldn't wait that long. Pinaria nodded, "You're right. If the medicus has looked at the other woman who was injured... maybe he can take us." She said and felt Ovinia's eyes on her again. A moment later, Ovinia held her hand again and promised to be there for Pinaria too, should she need comfort. Pinaria clasped her other hand over Ovinia's, embracing the younger woman's hand with her own, "Don't think about it like that. You owe me nothing." She said, "But if you insist, then I shall only ask for your friendship." She smiled at Ovinia once more, "Now, shall we go inside and see if the medicus is finished?" @Sara

Hilda had such a temper compared to himself, he thought. Perhaps he did take after his father in that. His mother was kind, but she too could have a temper... the Chatti women were not to be messed with, they could speak for themselves. Roman women were different, they'd never do what Hilda had done. Walking up and meeting the Emperor's brother and now she stayed in the palace. She said the man was good, but quiet and nice. Although naturally he suspected he could use her for something. She said he helped her find Wulfric. Really? He took her hand when she reached out for his, "I've missed you too, sister. But really, I'm sure your place at the palace is much better. Maybe you could get me inside too?" He suggested and looked up as a dark-haired woman placed two plates of stew in front of them and smiled with an arched brow at Hilda, wondering who Wulfric was to her. But she said nothing and left again, as they had already paid for the food. "Maybe once we've finished, I will show you my home. Then you'll see what I mean. It was what I could get when I first came here, with barely any coin and then... time just flew by. It does in a city like this." He added and pulled his hand back from hers to taste the food. It wasn't all that bad. @Sara

Why should he not feel the need for guidance for the future? Varinia was the one who made him realize he needed it and what better night to seek it than tonight? He had no one else, after all. His brother was far away, his real parents were dead, his last mother married to a man who never felt like a father to him. He had Tiberius, of course, but they were almost the same age. Marcus needed more than that and perhaps Saturn would guide him. Although he wasn't quite sure what to ask for or how, as he didn't do this very often. Varinia shared that the gods rarely spoke directly, but to priests and priestesses. Yet they could provide signs. "Let's hope that's what will happen. I doubt I'll ever be any kind of priest." He said with a grin, he didn't quite think he was the type of person for that. But surely the gods gave signs to ordinary people too? Not that Marcus was very ordinary, but he was no god either, so he did need the signs from them. The signs and the guidance. Maybe if he actually paid attention, something would happen. Well he could try. Meanwhile the queue moved and he looked up. "It's our turn next." Marcus said and bowed his head to the statue in front of them, stepping forwards as the person in front of them moved away. His hand still held the coins and Varinia had her cakes. He looked to her, attempting a bit of politeness in front of a god was probably only a good thing... "Do you want to go first?" @Sarah

Ovinia confirmed she'd been well and returned the question, then also asking into the vigintiviri. She was well informed, he thought to himself and gave her another smile, "It goes very well... it's very interesting. And different." Especially the matter he dealt with, but it was mostly interesting. He liked learning new things and he did kind of enjoy his new task. Not everyone could say they were in charge of prisons and executions at his age! Another man then entered the area, although he sat closer to the more mature Patricians than their section. Tiberius was definitely mostly surrounded by the younger people. Tiberius introduced them all then, to Publius Horatius Justinius, whom he wasn't very familiar with except for the name. Marcus offered him a smile, "Glad to meet you. So many interesting people are here today." He said and looked around, seeing both older and younger people around him. Aulus appeared then too, he recalled meeting him at those Domus Venus games. Best not mention that now, or Ovinia would keep her grudge for even longer. Marcus offered him a smile and nod of recognition. He was really trying to up his game among his own class. He had to step higher up, after all. Ovinia then seemed to want to bet and Marcus honestly did not have a favorite to bet on for the races, "I'm sure some of the others know better than I, whom to root for here. But I will take any advice given to you." He added with a grin, he was mostly here for the fun, for the socializing and for Tiberius. Not so much for the race. That was just a part of it all. He looked up though as a young woman in one of the higher seats near them yelled for one of the racers called Paullus and he chuckled and spoke to everyone and no one in particular, "So passionate! You think she's onto something?" @Sara @Sarah @Jenn @Sharpie @Chevi @Insignia

Claudia was a lovely mistress and Cynane was happy to guard her. And happy to be with her, when they were together. She couldn't deny she felt something for the young woman, something more than just Claudia being her mistress. But it had been like it was now for years, since Cynane was given to her. Nothing changed. And she didn't think at the moment that anything would ever change. She didn't know that Tirañes noticed the change of her expression, but then he said he wished things were different for her. And he'd love to teach her how to ride. "I know how to ride, but not with the stirrups. Maybe they wouldn't let us, though. What if we never came back from the ride?" She said with a small smirk, although it was just a dream and a fantasy. Though sometimes she did consider if it was worth it anyway. It was either the rest of her life as a slave, the possibility of freedom as a fugitive or maybe death. She knew what she thought was the best of those options. "Not much really, mostly guarding the princess." She said, but then there was something. And she had no one but him to talk to... "I did see my friend Charis a little while ago. Did I tell you about her? She's slave to a Praetor. Or, she was. He's horrible, he has abused and mistreated her in the past. Badly. And well, she was a slave, but he freed her. And calls her his wife now." She inhaled a breath, felt like she needed it, after all of that. And now she thought about, despite what happened to Charis lately, at least she too experienced a kind of progress. @Sara

Looking up at her and her body, while she tried to massage his chest and shoulders from the front side... it wasn't the worst sight in the world, Lucius thought to himself. She really was very pretty. There was no way she'd just be reserved for a man like Spurius. With her looks, she could do so much more. She just needed to learn how to do it. Extract secrets from people without them knowing at all. He nodded when she asked if it was alright and then she said the other girls could learn too, at the baths. "Maybe you should try and teach them first." That would be cheaper, after all. Oh and he could maybe gain profit from it? If she would do it in the front room of the brothel, where the clients came in. And they'd come in to see pretty young girls and boys massaging each other and maybe them too. Yes, that would be good. But he'd arrange that after this little session here. There was more he had to say, more ideas. She was almost like a muse. "There's something I want you to do, when you're with your clients. All of them." He added, in case she thought Spurius was special here. He was, but he didn't want it to sound like he stood out here... "Talk to them. See if they'll tell you anything that sounds confidential or secret. And if they do, you will tell me. Do you think you can do that?" @Sara

Alexius wondered if her father ever held her hand like this. He was quite sure her father never spoke with her like this. And Alexius barely had anyone to share his misery with, not anyone who'd understand anyway. Well Lucius would. But that was because of Ovinia, who too understood - but had a different outlook on things. He told her though how happy he was that they met, despite the ugly circumstances. He smiled back at her and squeezed her hand back, while she said that the one good thing that had come from what happened to her, was him. Gods, make an old gladiator's heart melt, will you? He smiled at his own softness, while she released his hand and said they should plan a distraction. Well that's not what she said, not like that anyway. Distractions were often quite different for him. But of course she would suggest a dinner. "It might be. As long as you promise he won't be upset about it. And I suppose, despite what you're saying... your father should still not know everything. That night we caught him, our little... meeting. That should probably be left out." A young, beautiful and noble lady leaving her house in the middle of the night to meet with a bunch of others from different parts of the hierarchy in Rome, in Alexius' flat. No, that wouldn't look good. "A dinner though? What would I wear? The one good outfit I have is what you gave me." He reminded her. The only time he wore it so far was for the dinner with Calpurnia. And by the end of that dinner, he didn't wear it anymore. He hadn't wanted that night to end. For dawn to come. Just being near her... no, he couldn't do what Ovinia suggested, just ending it and forgetting her. How could he? When he wanted her so badly? @Sara

Of course he had confidence. Ever since Lexus became a slave, even when he was a child, he wanted to be free again. And ever since he parted ways with his sister, he wanted to find her again. And how could he be free and find her again, if he was dead? So he fought hard, trained hard to become a skilled gladiator who would live. And by now he'd been a surviving gladiator long enough to receive plenty of praise. And with praise often also came pleasure, which he almost always enjoyed. So why should he not be confident? She smiled at his answer, a smile that felt contagious. Such a pity she was a Vestal! She'd commented on his injury though and really it was nothing, but he wondered why she asked. Maybe she wished to cure him? But she didn't. Instead she waved over another young woman, whispered to her and the girl disappeared. Lexus glanced at their coachman... the Vestal made him curious. He really hoped they wouldn't be moving on soon. Then the lady spoke to him again. "They named me Lexus." He replied and leaned more against the wagon's side, closer to her, "And what's yours?" @Chevi

Alexius nodded with a grin at her question, "If I didn't win, I wouldn't be here." He told her and looked at the other gladiators. Some were newer and younger and didn't enter fights until death. He didn't know if they won or lost and for now they'd grown quiet, just watching and listening to Lexus talk. The Vestal looked further at the wagon and commented on his cut on the thigh. "That's what happens. Nothing out of the ordinary." Was it too much for her? Why did she even stop by their wagon? He had an idea then... "Do you treat injuries?" He had no idea if that was a thing Vestals did, but she seemed nice and curious and easy on the eyes too, so... why not? Although he knew better than to touch her. He wasn't stupid. Just very drawn to certain people sometimes. @Chevi

Lexus took the water while his fellow newer gladiators looked curiously towards the Vestal temple and the women coming out from it. They probably barely knew a thing. Lexus had lived here a few years now already, he was a successful survivor of a gladiator, he knew how to please the crowd and how to live instead of die... and he knew the Roman gods, of course. They were the only gods he remembered and knew. So he knew Vesta too. And he knew better than to look too much in that direction, for while he had a way with women, he wouldn't be stupid enough to think seducing a Vestal Virgin was a good idea. On the other hand, they did say the city of Rome depended on that temple. Maybe if it was crushed, he'd be free? No, it wasn't going to be that easy. He really wasn't that stupid. But then one of the women approached the wagon, a gorgeous and tall blonde lady. Such a pity such women should be virgins, he thought to himself. Think to never experience pleasure with a man! Such a pity indeed. She asked if everything was alright. "Nothing to worry about." Their coachman said, his tone grumpy, and Lexus glanced towards him. You couldn't speak to a woman like her, like that! "Everything is fine, Domina, there's just quite a crowd around here today. But we're not in a rush." He said with a grin and handed back the jar of water to the other lady, who'd come to the wagon, "Thank you." He said and she smiled again, but then took her leave, as the Vestal was much more important than her. She was still there. Lexus kind of wanted to offer her a seat, but that would probably be beneath her. @Chevi

Imagine that they had so many years between them, yet here they sat, talking about a situation they both were in. More or less. Loving someone you shouldn't. Wanting someone who wasn't meant for you. Ovinia tried to offer her advice, she thought he should end it with Calpurnia before he got in deeper... but the problem was, he was already in pretty deep and he didn't want to surface. Ovinia said that there was no other option but her suggestion, because being in the run with Calpurnia was no way to live either. And not for his son either, by the way. Lexus. Gods he was a horrible father, wasn't he? But what if Ovinia had to do what she just told him to? Could she? She blinked, appearing surprised and then sighed, said she didn't know. Claimed it was different for her and she had time to figure things out. Right. Why would she lie to herself like that? At least Alexius admitted his feelings. Whenever he felt something, it always seemed to go deep. He felt it deeply. And he couldn't ignore it. Ovinia did though, she tried. Yet he saw how she and Lucius had been together, at the library. She said she knew her place and she'd just have to end it with Lucius, if she had to. She claimed she had time though. And then she reached out for his hand and he wrapped his around hers. "I hope so." Alexius said, squeezing her hand too. Life certainly wasn't what he wanted it to be right now. He wasn't as carefree as he was just a few months ago... "How did we end up here, Ovinia? After that night I met you..." They had come a long way, hadn't they? There was something here. A friendship. Almost more than that. She could be his daughter. And he did care for her... "You know, despite everything that has happened since then, I'm glad we met. And that we're friends." @Sara

Another day in the arena, another match won. Lexus was beaten and bloody, he was pretty sure he had a cut on his one thigh, because it was hurting worse than Hades in the midday sun. But he was alive and the crowd had cheered for him, when the two other gladiators lay on the ground, bleeding out. He enjoyed that part at least, the roar of the crowd when he won and could raise his arms and just take all the praise. It was all the praise he got anyway, so he had to take it. Now hopefully his master and the doctore would also both salute him, although he didn't make a habit of losing the matches. Else he might not live so long. But he was still a slave, still not free. And who knew when his master wanted to host an orgy again and he'd be invited to join, because who didn't want to bed or be taken by a gladiator like him? Not that it was all bad, it was more that he didn't have a choice. That was the issue. But at least not today, because something had to be done about that cut on his leg. He left the arena and in the back of a wagon he sat now, travelling with some of the other gladiators back towards the ludus that was their home. A woman passed the wagon as it made a stop because the street was crowded and she offered him water. Apparently she'd seen him fight. Lexus winked at her and she blushed. Well he still had that in his favor too. He could make a woman blush, even when he was still covered in the blood from his opponents. "Where are we anyway?" Asked a younger gladiator, one of the newer ones. Alexius looked around, "The Forum. The Vestal temple is right there." He said, looking towards it just as a group of Vestals left the temple and came down the stairs, apparently in their direction. @Chevi

It wasn't that he wanted to make her feel bad. But he'd been drunk, now he had a slight hangover and that didn't always do great things for the mood. And he was feeling down to begin with, so this didn't help. But now Ovinia sighed too. She was so young, she deserved something good and happy in her life. And yet she too loved someone she could not have. Ovinia then shifted and then began speaking of how he was apparently torturing himself, if he couldn't love her when she was married. Well he could! But that would be torture too, wouldn't it? She suggested he should part ways with Calpurnia now and move on. "I don't think it's that easy. Ovinia, I... you know I enjoy the pleasures life offers me. And it's offered me a lot." He paused to let that sink in, "So usually, it would not be a problem. But she's not like the rest. I knew the moment I met her. This woman..." He couldn't help but smile a little, Calpurnia was something else, he knew that from the start. And how could a woman be anything but extraordinary to impress him like that? She wasn't just anybody. And meanwhile, Ovinia loved someone too. They kept talking about his situation, but really hers wasn't much better. "Do you think you could do the same? To save yourself from further heartbreak?" Alexius asked, looking at her. Ovinia had known, that day they went to temples and the library, that Lucius would be waiting for her. It had been planned. So it wasn't just a coincidental meeting. She was in deep too. @Sara

This was a good way to get information out of Ione, he decided. Maybe she could be more useful than just pleasuring her clients and working in the kitchen. He recalled an old slave of his, from his time at the Domus Venus. He had some Greek name. Helios? He enjoyed getting secrets out of people, while giving pleasure back to them. He didn't just earn coin. Was he still around? Perhaps Lucius should look into that. He might teach Ione a thing or two. Of course she didn't know she was telling Lucius useful information... perhaps if he placed her with the right people, she could tell him things afterwards. Without knowing what she was doing. Oh he had many new ideas now! But for now, he thought it was time to move on. So he wondered if she could massage his front side too, and she said she had not done it before. The lessons just focused on the back, she said. "You massaged your mothers arm, and your Spurius too. I'm sure you can do it." Lucius said and shifted, pushing her away a bit to turn around. He wondered how that would make her feel. Now he could see her. Watch her doing her work. He let his arms rest along his sides, relaxing and looking at her, "Go on..." @Sara

Calpurnia was perfection, in his eyes. That might anger Venus, as she too had suggested, but there really was no comparison. Besides, he never met Venus. But he met Calpurnia. So how was he to know if the goddess was better? How could she be? He nodded at her words and tried to explain to Ovinia why he didn't see any hope in whatever he and Calpurnia had. And then apparently he didn't know when to stop talking. He'd tried to not bother Ovinia, so she would not be worried, because he knew about her and Lucius, but now she knew that he knew. Fuck. He didn't speak, didn't dare to say anything else and Ovinia blinked and gave him a surprised look. She knew what he meant and now she too stared at the river. Great. Now they were both miserable. Would she like to get drunk with him, by any chance? It did help, if only for a brief while. Silence fell until she spoke, not mentioning what she had with Lucius, but through her words he knew she'd considered options between her and her love too. It just didn't work out so easily for Alexius. How could he love a woman, who had another husband? Who was meant to give her husband everything she would never be allowed to give Alexius again? Her faithfulness, her body, her children... everything. Ovinia had clearly thought it over many times. Thought you could remain friends and ignore your feelings. She thought you should just enjoy what you had, accept the circumstances and get on with life. But it wasn't that easy. "Wouldn't it be amazing if that could work? If it was that easy. But I know it isn't. This isn't the first time I've loved a woman, Ovinia. And the last one I loved... the issue was the same. And she found a proper suitor. And we had to end it. It didn't work out. You'd think third time is the charm, but..." It wasn't, was it? It never worked out with Achillia and she had even been with child. It didn't work out with Oriana. She didn't want Alexius to sleep around and at the same time, she'd marry and sleep with her husband. In what world was that fair? And now Calpurnia... it would turn out the same way. And yet he couldn't ignore his longing for her... "I don't know what to do. So that's why I went out last night. And that's why you found me where you did this morning. Nothing else works." @Sara

Alexius didn't get why Ovinia was suddenly so cheerful, after he revealed that Calpurnia was no Vestal anymore. She'd still been one. That was bad enough. But she sat there smiling and promised she'd not say anything, but claimed that the fact that his love was no longer a Vestal, that was a good thing. She didn't think he'd get executed. Right. Calpurnia's brother would tear him apart if he knew. Ovinia spoke of hope, the same way Lucius had, said they could love each other... chastely. Ha! Did she even know Alexius? But Ovinia would surely not understand, if he said he'd not just loved her chastely until now. They were not wed and they had certainly done something. Something he wanted more of. With her. "It's not just her looks... it's everything about her. She's... funny and smart. And she likes me too. Like that." Alexius said, smiling as he spoke, but then it faded, "But what does it matter that I'm free to love her, if I can't have her? I'm a freedman, as you know. I'm nothing compared to her. She's... the complete opposite. Her family would never welcome me. It's not much better for us than for you and..." He stopped himself, but too late. Talking before thinking, as always! And he'd said it now. Admitted it. That he knew about her and Lucius. But then again, after all this time, might she not at least suspect he knew something was going on? @Sara

So maybe it was Spurius, who'd encouraged her to learning how to massage like this. He could not imagine she came up with the idea on her own. She was sweet, but very naïve and young and he did not think she'd think so far alone. So if she massaged Spurius, who had a limp, it made sense. And he gave her an as for herself too. Was he more fond of her than he should be? He did know Ione was Lucius' slave, right? Of course that was something to hold against Spurius, should he ever need something. Meanwhile Ione went on, not thinking too much about what she said. She spoke of how she'd massaged her mother's arm when she was a girl. Lucius didn't comment on it. Her life before she came here didn't matter to him. As long as she did her work here, that was enough. Luckily she kept massaging him and asked if he enjoyed it and wondered if she could do anything different or better. "I do enjoy it, it's nice." Lucius said and then he shifted a little to glance at her, "Do you know how to massage my front side too?" He then asked. @Sara

Alexius should not have said anything. How did she guess that so easily? He should have stopped. Insisted that he wouldn't tell her what was going on, he should just have gone home to his bed and pass out again and get on with the day. Why were the gods messing with him? Oh, he knew! Because he loved her! And he should not! It was all a great mockery. Alexius had never in his life sought to anger or upset the gods, and now for some reason, he was their toy and he couldn't do a thing about it. He felt like yelling. Instead he just sat there, felt her eyes upon him while he looked at the river and nothing at the same time. Perhaps this was it. He should just go and turn himself in right way. Her brother's name was Aulus, right? As one last mockery from the gods, Alexius the former slave and gladiator, had to be killed by a former Consul of Rome. That was it. He sighed again. Ovinia began talking, promising she wouldn't say a word. Well maybe he'd live a little longer then. But then Ovinia said he had to promise to not do anything about it. Alexius let out a little amused unamused huff. That ship had sailed already! Yet she spoke as if Calpurnia was still a Vestal. He didn't look at her until he felt her hand on his arm. "You're not more sorry than I am." Alexius said. Gods how did he become so gloomy? "She's not one of them anymore." Was that saying too much? Would she guess who it was? Well it was too late anyway... "She was, but not anymore. But that doesn't make it right. You really can't say a word to anyone, Ovinia. Unless you want me gone." Because he was quite sure that's how it would all end, one way or another. @Sara

Alexius hadn't meant for it to sound like that. He spoke of him being drunk and hungover and sleeping in a random place in the city. That's how she found him this morning. One huge pile of a mess, that's what he was. And there he sat, not seeing her smile as he'd buried his face in his hands. Ovinia easily came to the first conclusion, which was true enough. Yes, Alexius, the womanizer, the guy who got around, he'd fallen in love and couldn't have her. But then Ovinia chocked and exclaimed the worst thing she could say in public, which she luckily soon realized and Alexius looked up at her with wide eyes. What? How did she know? Did she know? Fuck... fuck fuck fuck... fuck! "How did you... fuck the... gods..." He inhaled a breath, too upset to care about what he said. Instead he stared at the river, "I shouldn't have said anything." This was bad, it was so bad, he didn't even tell Lucius that much, did he? He couldn't remember. But no one could know he loved a Vestal. Well, former Vestal, but that didn't really make it better, not in the grand scheme of things. @Sara

Alexius usually hated having to treat slaves as slaves, because to him, they were people. They weren't just mindless pieces of cattle, following you everywhere and doing everything you wanted. They were so much more than that. And yet... right now, they had to keep their distance. If he was to tell Ovinia anything about what went on in his mind right now, in his heart even, no one else could know. He'd promised Calpurnia to keep their secret safe. And he would not betray her. Ovinia seemed to agree and soon they were on their way to the river. He watched her let her hair a bit down, as she moved the palla from her hair. Alexius still understood very well why Lucius had fallen for her. It was all such a mess, for her and Lucius too. And Alexius believed he understood it better now. Because he too was as much a fool as they were, now. They walked in silence, until the river was glistening in the early morning in front of them and Ovinia suggested a bench near the river. Alexius nodded, "Looks good." He said, hoping it was private enough. He couldn't invite her to his home now, as he had briefly thought about doing. Lexus would be there, sleeping, and he didn't want to wake up his son. Besides, Lexus also didn't know about Calpurnia. It was better that way. He sat down on the bench and waited for Ovinia to instruct her slaves, before she'd join him. Alexius looked at the river. How could it just flow, so calmly, when everything really wasn't that calm? Fuck... finally she sat down. "Alright, so... the thing is..." How was it he told Lucius? He could barely remember and they got each other drunk afterwards, so... well, he had to try... "I met someone. And... I can't stop thinking about her. But I shouldn't. She has a higher purpose. She's meant for something else... someone else, I imagine. Not me. It's all a mess. It's such a mess." He paused briefly, glancing at her, "So you see why you found me where you did this morning?" Alexius sighed deeply and buried his face in his hands. Damn. @Sara

Alexius did usually act on impulse and never thought deeply about most things he did. He just did them. Enjoyed life. But now life was something else, because it wasn't just him and his son. It was really horrible, that he was so much more concerned about this matter and about Calpurnia, than his own son. It was hard to explain why. Lucius must be right. Alexius loved her. Ovinia sighed and then nodded and stood. Said she wouldn't push it and he arched a brow. Now, after she'd asked so many times and he was on the verge of telling her, she said she wouldn't push the matter? Really? Women... but of course she was curious and wondered where they could talk. "Well we were on our way to the river, we could find a nice spot there." Alexius said, "It's still pretty early, I don't think it'll be crowded. They can wait nearby. But further away than now." He continued, nodding towards the slaves. Then he leaned in to have one more drink from the water, "Shall we?" @Sara

Ione was all smiles and nods right now, which he considered a good thing. He didn't know if she was one of the girls who got very drunk every night, to stand the work, but she definitely couldn't be sober anymore. She told him to lie down and he did, on his stomach so she had access to his backside and could massage him there. Soon she was kneeling next to him and her oiled fingers worked the muscles of his shoulders and his back. It felt rather nice and he let out little sounds when something felt especially good. But he had to stay focused too. Lucius was not done yet. "Do you massage him too? Spurius, who gave you the coin?" Lucius then asked in between the little sighs and sounds while she massaged him. He thought he could get used to this. Maybe this was only the first time she got to massage him like this. Even with her size, he thought she did well. @Sara

Alexius too had more than once also taken good looks at the young men, exercising by the river. And more than once he'd joined them too and not left alone. Or perhaps just not left alone. It was possible to find nice spots by the river too, after all. But he hadn't done it much lately. All the same, he was surprised to hear that Ovinia admitted she enjoyed such views too. She must feel relaxed and safe with Alexius, to say such things openly. At least that, he could feel good about. She blushed, saying there would be no harm in looking. And she was absolutely right. She just always struck him as more chaste than that, besides Lucius... but perhaps it wasn't so after all. They came to a fountain and Alexius took his time to splash cold water in his face and have a few good drinks. Meanwhile, Ovinia was still being more than curious. He didn't realize that he almost snapped, but she kept asking and he didn't want to talk about this matter to too many people. Lucius knew already, that was more than enough. But Ovinia sat down and lowered her voice, telling him how he knew her darkest secrets and it was unfair that he knew so much, but wouldn't tell her what pained him. Alexius sighed. "It's just... it's a very... tough, sensitive matter." He said, looking up at her with water dripping from his hair. He glanced towards the slaves. They did keep their distance, but Alexius knew too well that slaves tended to eavesdrop and hear things they weren't supposed to, because no one thought highly of them... "If I should tell you anything about it all, it won't be here." He explained, "I... it's... it has to be a secret. A very well kept one." @Sara